After a lot of research my husband and I just got a german shepherd purebred puppy. We equally take part in training, feeding, playing with the puppy. She is now 11 weeks old. However, she follows my husband around everywhere! I feel as if she does not like me, or does not pay attention to me. I am trying to position myself as the alpha leader but she still comes to my husband when he calls her, still has all eyes on him, etc. We have not been able to take her on walks since she is not 16 weeks old yet and can catch parvo. Do you think her position with me will change once I can take her on walks? My husband does not exercise and I will be the one walking her twice a day. What do you think?
2006-10-25 16:45:12 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Yes, that should work.
You be the one to feed the puppy, too, exclusively, for a couple of weeks. While the puppy is eating, STAND OVER it and stand guard.
The feeder = the master....
2006-10-25 16:47:40 · answer #1 · answered by urbancoyote 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As someone else has already pointed out, tone of voice and stance have a lot to do with perceived alpha status. A firm voice and an authoritative body stance may help, but it's not a guarantee. You may never be alpha, but the real issue is to make sure that she doesn't think SHE is.
The split training may be contributing to this situation, too. If you are the sole trainer and handler, then she is forced to rely on you, not him. That tends to make you the alpha in her eyes. The problem is that you're stuck with all the work and your husband loses out on the pleasure of having a dog.
Personally, I think I'd just get used to the situation and let her make up her own mind about what she wants and doesn't want. As long as she's not acting aggressively toward you or trying to herd you away from your husband, I think you'll have a happier dog if you do.
You can buy a dog. . .but not its respect.
2006-10-25 17:44:53 · answer #2 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do under stand that you sound like you are jealous of a dog right? Only time will tell. The more time you spend with her the more she will spend time with you. Dogs treat family life like a pack. It is only natural. In a pack environment, you and your husband would be the alphas, but packs are mainly run by the apha male. Over time new members of the back will learn who is in charge. All you have to worry about is making she that she knows you are more dominant than her, this will be done mainly by your training setions with her. Otherwise, she will think that she is more dominant than you and thus will not listen.
2006-10-25 16:55:43 · answer #3 · answered by Elizabeth P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your relationship will be closer and she will love you as she does already, but German Shepherds do make gender based choices for favorite companion. If you had purchased a male pup, the situation would be reversed. Just as children love Mom and Dad, still they have a favorite one to play and spend time with. Just love her and don't take her preference too personal.
2006-10-25 16:56:15 · answer #4 · answered by Faerie loue 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if i were you, i would go buy a box of milkbones.
whenever you wake up put a couple in your pockets, purse, anywhere on you.
just sneak em to the dog without letting the husband find out. the dog will come to you cause you have food.
if your husband commits a crime, then call the police and send him to jail. that way the dog can only focus on you
2006-10-25 16:49:19 · answer #5 · answered by f1avor_f1av 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's just because guy have deeper voices! they tend to see them as in charge! walking her when she is older will help you two bond better! use a Strong voice when teaching her! this some times helps! if nothing works, she may be a one person dog! some dogs are just that way!! i love shep.s! i have had 2 in my life! they are very smart & great with kids! mine walched my kids like a halk when they where out side!!! lots of luck:)
2006-10-25 16:51:47 · answer #6 · answered by rblankenship_rblankenship 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might work , but dogs usually do pick there favorites. They usually like the one who is more affectionate and loving. My german sheperd loves me more even though my dad feeds and waters etc. him. But tell your dog that you love him alot they love those words. Good Luck
2006-10-26 08:16:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you may not be alpha your spouse is the alpha male.
you should put the dog in the submissive position by the neck
first thing in the morning till she stops struggling
not to hurt the dog just pin her down.
when she does not listen to you. do this also.
a couple of time of this he will get the picture.
when he submits praise him. than let him up.
2006-10-25 17:02:00 · answer #8 · answered by RENO 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
WHO MAINTAINS THE RULES, RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS? YOUR HUSBAND? I HAD A FEMALE SHEPHERD MIX FOR 6 YEARS BEFORE MY HUSBAND AND I GOT MARRIED. SHE WAS TOTALLY INFATUATED WITH HIM.
BY THE WAY, SHE WAS A 3/4 MIX BUT WHEN SHE DEVELOPED DIABETES AT AGE 9, I WAS TOLD SHEPHERDS WERE PRONE TO THE DISEASE. I FINALLY PUT HER DOWN WHEN SHE WAS 11.
2006-10-25 16:52:24 · answer #9 · answered by Isis Is: HOPEFULL HOUNDS RESCUE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not really... but u may try... try u wear red colors thingy like shoes o trousers... as i knoe my dogs usually attracted more to red colors thing like many others dogs do...
2006-10-25 16:48:09 · answer #10 · answered by yang 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋